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14 Dec 2017 11:44:32am

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I’m reluctant to buy into this, I mean anyone who is concerned about vast inequality, or even wants to raise the issue for debate is guilty of the politics of envy, aren’t they? A really heinous sin to be tarred with.

The general public seem to be almost indifferent to this. Perhaps it’s a reflection of the realisation they are powerless to do anything about it anyway, so why bother? Or maybe their apathy is a reflection of the success of societal conditioning? I’ve often wondered if this latter influence explains the real (unwritten) role played by royalty – to subtly imbue the populace with a sense that vast inequality is perfectly acceptable, the norm, even a law of nature?

So, when vast inequality then permeates wider society, and takes on mega proportions, it’s just a question of scale, because society has already become accustomed to accepting the principle. And besides, in this domain, we’re talking about self-made men aren’t we, none of that inherited privilege stuff, so it’s basically unobjectionable on all counts. They’ve earned it, all of it.

And of course it’s all the fruits of enterprise, the rewards just have to be worth it. Just imagine how much more benefit to society Jeff Bezos (Amazon CEO) could bring if he could add to his present net wealth of $90,000,000,000. That’s why we need incentives such as lower taxes for Jeff et al, because there’s every chance some of it could trickle down to the masses. Although I’m not so sure some of his mates see it this way, they seem more inclined to view this trickle as incontinence, but it sure looks good in the economics textbooks, doesn’t it?

I look forward to the next major milestone in wealth creation – the world’s first trillionaire, now that will really be worth celebrating – my money’s on the Koch brothers to be the first.

I’ll be thinking of this magic milestone tomorrow when I visit the market, and drop a few dollars to some of the homeless pavement squatting outside Flinders St station, and wonder if they find the Jeff Bezoses of this world an inspiration, something to aim for?

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